NBA Playoffs: (8)New Orleans Pelicans at (1)OKC Thunder

By Sam Batz

When: Wednesday, April 24th at 9:30 PM EST

Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK 

Watch On: TNT/Bally Sports

Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

After a gritty Game 1 win (94-92), the OKC Thunder have a lead heading into Game 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans nearly edged out the Thunder, but fell short due to a lack of clutch scoring late in the Game. Regardless, the underrated Pelicans were an 8-point underdog priced at +280 entering Game 1, but 8-seed New Orleans shattered all expectations. One could say the Thunder underperformed, but I’d argue the Pelicans defense was the star of the show. The Thunder finished the regular season as the top-scoring team in the West, averaging 120.1 points per game, yet the Pelicans held OKC under 100 points for just the 4th time this season, setting the tone of the series as a defensive battle.   

Predicting the NBA playoffs is no easy task, but we are dedicated to the cause. Here we are highlighting the Pelicans vs. Thunder, but we cover every team in every game. To learn more about paid picks, predictions, and props from across the NBA, visit us at OSB or follow us on Instagram, where we release free picks daily. 

Odds can change quickly, but stay up-to-date by visiting OSB’s odds page, where you’ll find the latest spreads, money lines, and O/U totals. Continue on here for our Pelicans vs. Thunder Game 2 predictions, which includes stats, scores, and betting advice to help you navigate the odds.          

Pelicans vs. Thunder Odds 

Team

Spread

Total (O/U)

Moneyline

New Orleans Pelicans

+7.5 (-110)

Ov 211.5 (-110)

+270

OKC Thunder

-7.5 (-110)

Un 211.5 (-110)

-345

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Pelicans vs. Thunder Betting Trends

New Orleans Pelicans

46-38-1 ATS 

25-17-1 ATS on the road

36-48-1 O/U record 

16-26-1 O/U record on the road

18-15 as UNDERDOGS 

13-9 as UNDERDOGS on the road

OKC Thunder

46-36-1 ATS

27-15 ATS at home

44-36-3 O/U record 

20-20-2 O/U record at home

48-14 as FAVORITES

31-5 as FAVORITES at home

Pelicans vs. Thunder Stats 

New Orleans Pelicans (49-33)

115.1

110.7

+4.4

48.6%

38.8%

44.0

12.4

116.5 (11th)

111.9 (6th)

21-19 (52.5%)

28-14 (66.7%)

Stat Type

Points/Game

Opponent Points/Game

Point Diff

Field Goal %

Three-Point %

Rebounds/Game

Turnovers/Game

Offensive Rating

Defensive Rating

Home Record (Win-Rate)

Away Record (Win-Rate)

OKC Thunder (57-25)

120.1

112.7

+7.4

49.9%

38.9%

42.0

11.8

118.3 (3rd)

111.0 (4th)

33-8 (80.5%)

24-17 (58.5%)

Pelicans vs. Thunder Head-to-Head History

Regular & Post Season Games: 75 (2002-2024)

All-time Series: Pelicans: 32 wins; Thunder: 43 wins

Season Series: Thunder 2-1

Playoff Series: Thunder 1-0

Wednesday’s match will be the 76th meeting between the Pelicans and Thunder all-time, and just the 2nd playoff game. The Thunder went 2-1 against the Pels in their 3-game regular season series, but OKC averaged just 110.7 points per game, a -9.4 point differential compared to their season average og 120.1. Similarly, New Orleans averaged 101.7 points in the 3-game series, a difference of -13.4 points compared to the Pelicans 115.1 average. Needless to say, it’s always been a defensive battle, and I don’t think Game 2 will be any different. 

Pelicans vs. Thunder Best Player Prop

Jonas Valančiūnas; Over 11.5 rebounds (-110)

In Game 1, Valančiūnas recorded 20 rebounds for the first and only time this season. He had a great game, but collecting that many rebounds was only possible against the Thunder. The 6’ 11” center averages 8.8 rebounds per game, yet against OKC he more than doubled his average. That’s because the Thunder rank 27th in rebounds per game (42.0) and 23rd in rebounds allowed (44.7). Valančiūnas has 57 lbs on OKC’s best rebounder, Chet Holmgren, and that size advantage will help him dominate the glass once more in Game 2. 

Pelicans vs. Thunder Prediction

Take the Thunder’s moneyline (-345) and the Pelicans to cover (+7.5). Zion Williamson will remain sidelined with a lingering hamstring injury, but the Pelicans went 7-5 without Williamson, and did just fine without him in Game 1. Of course New Orleans want’s Zion back, but unlike Embiid in Philadelphia, Williamson is not a make-or-break player for the Pelicans. Larry Nance Jr and Trey Murphy III are filling Zion’s role as defensive enforcer and versatile scorer, giving the Pelicans a legitimate chance to upset the Thunder. 

But OKC is the No. 1 seed for a reason, and I’m not willing to bet against them completely. MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a top-3 scorer, and while the Pels defense is good, SGA is better. He led the NBA with 30+ points in 51 games, scored 28 points in Game 1, and is poised for his first 30-point playoff performance. The Pelicans don’t have a player who can break OKC’s defense like SGA can break theirs, giving the Thunder the edge they need. It will be a hard fought, low-scoring match up, but in the end OKC will have a 2-0 series lead.   

Pelicans vs. Thunder predictions: 

Moneyline Pick: OKC Thunder (-345)

If you take the Thunder Moneyline (-345): You risk $345 to win $100, for a total payout of $445, if the Thunder win straight up. 

ATS Pick: New Orleans Pelicans (+7.5)

If you take the Pelicans to Cover the +7.5 Spread (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Pelicans win the game, or lose by less than 8 points. 

O/U Pick: Under (211.5)

If you take the Under on 211.5 total points (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Pelicans and Thunder combine for less than 212 points.  

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